Opportunity description

We are calling for expressions of interest from people who share our mission to provide the community with volunteers who stand beside, empower, and instil confidence in all court users.

Court Network volunteers (Networkers) improve access to justice by recognising the extent to which court processes can result in people feeling anxious, distressed, and disempowered. Networkers help to build the confidence of court users by supporting their access to information and supporting them to navigate their day in court. They understand that many people feel vulnerable or disadvantaged; they may be attending court for the first time; be unfamiliar with court rules and processes; lack knowledge of what is expected of them; feel frightened and unsafe; or be representing themselves in a matter.

Court Network services Family Court users in Brisbane, Melbourne, and now Sydney. Court Network is a not-for-profit community organisation that provides free services to Family Court users.

We are seeking volunteers who can commit to one day a week or fortnightly, to a set roster, who have high adaptability to change and are committed to establishing self-care practices.

Main duties and expectations of our volunteering role

• Provide a welcoming, kind, and supportive human connection to all court users (applicants, respondents, witnesses, involved parties, and family and friends).
• Actively engage with court users, supporting and assisting them to navigate and fully participate in their court experience.
• Recognise and respond to individual court user needs and concerns.
• Provide service users with support, information and referral options and choices.
• Promote court user safety.
• Work independently as well as within a team.
• Follow instructions and practice guidelines.
• Have good digital literacy and confidence; record keeping, emailing, communication, and information sharing.
• Adhere to privacy policy requirements.

Our volunteers must have strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills, confidence using technology (CRM, digital communication, email, internet searching (laptop or tablet), smart phone apps) and the ability to foster inclusivity, person-centred, and trauma informed approaches to supporting all court users, impartially and non-judgementally. 

This multifaceted and interesting role is best suited to someone who is proactive, a ‘people-person’, passionate about improving access to justice, and is wanting to volunteer on an ongoing and regular basis.

Commitment description

• 9am-5pm Monday-Wednesday (depending on the needs of the court)
• Regular volunteering, preferably weekly or fortnightly

Training provided

A comprehensive 12-week program is provided to all trainee Networkers (volunteers).

Willing to obtain

• National Police Certificate
• Working with Children Check